Editor,
All I can say is WOW! We visited Good Shepherd shelter last week after an absence. We were so impressed with the new outdoor dog run kennels and the new Meet and Greet building, not to mention all the flower beds (thanks to local master gardeners and the shelter staff) and colorful flags welcoming the public!
The new outdoor (very good looking & sturdy) kennels provide great protection from sun and rain, giving dogs many more days of outdoor recreation. Before, if there was even a threat of rain on any given day, the dogs had to remain indoors, since it would be too hard for the dog techs to quickly run scores of dogs back indoors if & when the storms hit.
The Meet and Greet building is lovely, too… now adopters can have a safe, quiet place to interact with a potential new feline or canine companion, and bring their own dogs to check out a buddy. The interior of this new building was finished to enable a high level of sanitation as well, to keep shelter animals and visitors healthy.
There is also a fenced grassy play area where adopters can visit with a shelter dog, away from all the rest.
And last, but not least, the Meet & Greet building has a staff break room! When I was on staff at the shelter several years ago, I had to eat my lunch in my car or outdoors (in the heat/cold) since there was not an extra square foot of space indoors. The work is stressful enough.. I am so glad the staff can actually eat lunch in peace and quiet!
Grateful woofs and meows to all staff, volunteers, donors and board members for making the shelter such a welcoming place!
Nan Johnson and Dave Spencer